Peter Vanderkaay
Peter Vanderkaay was born in Royal Oak, Michigan on February 12, 1984 to parents Robin and Mark. From the beginning, the Vanderkaays were a swimming family; Christian (the oldest son) and younger brothers Alex and Dane all found success as competitive swimmers. The four brothers achieved a rather historic feat they all qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. Peter, however, is the only Vanderkaay to become an Olympian.
Age group and high school swimming
Vanderkaay grew up in Rochester, Michigan. He swam for the Oakland Live Y'ers (OLY) swim team throughout his age group career. But Vanderkaay was not a standout swimmer in his younger years. He failed to qualify for the Michigan age group state meet as a 12-year-old. In his freshman year of high school he did not swim fast enough to qualify for Michigan's high school state meet. However, a seven-inch growth spurt at age 14, combined with his incredible work ethic, resulted in Vanderkaay becoming a high school super star in his junior and senior years.
He represented Rochester Adams High School while continuing to train with coach Jeff Cooper at OLY and he was Michigan High School State Champion in the 500 free (2001 and 2002) and …